Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Lexington, KY?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.1% of gross income.

Lexington rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Kentucky state estimate).

Lexington median rent
$1,631/mo
Plumber salary (Kentucky)
$59,048/yr
Rent as % of income
33.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,921, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,476/mo in rent. Lexington's median rent of $1,631 exceeds that threshold by $155/mo, putting a plumber salary into the rent-burdened range here. A plumber works roughly 57.5 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a plumber salary

Plumber pay sits comfortably above the US median household income and covers affordable rent in most US metros. At the national-average plumber salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,678 a month in rent. The per-city pages combine local rent with local plumber-pay estimates so renters can see where the math works.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Kentucky cities have lower median rent than Lexington, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

Shelbyville, KY
$1,630/mo (33.1% of income)
Shelbyville, KY
$1,626/mo (33% of income)
Shepherdsville, KY
$1,624/mo (33% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Lexington

View full rent data for Lexington, KY →

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Lexington, KY?

Median rent in Lexington is $1,631 a month. A typical plumber in Kentucky earns about $59,048 a year, which makes that rent 33.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a plumber afford in Lexington?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Kentucky (~$59,048/yr) supports up to $1,476 a month in rent. Lexington's current median rent is $1,631/mo, which is $155/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Lexington?

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a plumber in Kentucky works roughly 57.5 hours a month to cover Lexington's median rent of $1,631.

Where is rent cheaper than Lexington for a plumber?

Nearby Kentucky cities with lower median rent include Shelbyville ($1,630/mo), Shelbyville ($1,626/mo), Shepherdsville ($1,624/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Kentucky state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Lexington, KY. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.